Building-block.



No. 676,803. Patented-lune I8, IQDI. W. E. SHAW.

BUILDING BLOCK.

(Application led July 28, 1900.)

(llo Model.)

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UNITED STATES t Tricia.

XVILLIAM E. SIIAVV, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BUILDING-"BLOCK,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Eatent No. 676,803, dated June 18,1901.

Application led July 28,190@

T0 LZZ whom, it may concern:

Be itknown that IfvVILLIAM E. SHAW,a citi zen of the United States,residing at Chicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Building-Blocks, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in blocks for building and similarpurposes. Y One object of the invention is to secure a block of such ashape as will provide a continuous air space or spaces throughout thewall, which may be utilized when desired for Ventilating purposes.

A further object is to provide ablock of such a shape that a pluralityof them can be supported upon bars or beams which are wholly containedwithin and concealed by the blocks forming the wall or ceiling or thelike which the beams support.

-I have illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure lis an end elevation of a block constructed in accordancewith my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a perspective viewof a modification. Figs. 4, 4r, 5, and 6 are similar views of stillfurther modiiications. Fig. 7 is a view of a structure made up of mybuilding-blocks.

Referring to Figs. l, 2, and 5, the individ ual block is indicated at Aand is shown of a general rectangular shape, but may of course be of anysize and shape suited to the structure for which it is desired. On oneface the block is provided with a centrally-arranged rib d, which isdesigned to aline with and engage a corresponding channel or recess b inthe opposite wall. This groove or channel is of greater depth than theheight of the rib, so that when two blocks are in juxtaposition, asindicated in Fig. 7, there will be a space between the face of the riband the bottom of the channel. As shown in the drawings, it will be seenthat this space is of considerable size, as the groove or channel ineach block extends into close proximity to the ribbed side of the block;but the block is not weakened to an injurious degree thereby, for thereason that when the rib of one block is in the groove or channel of theadjoining block it supports the bifuroated portions, while the spacevery materially lightens the block. Where the Serial No. 25 ,174. (Nomodel.)

block is used for vertical walls, each block is arranged with its ribbededge uppermost, and it will thus be seen that in this position eachblock presents an arch structure, which, as is well known, isexceedingly strong. As the blocks are laid in horizontal alinement, aplurality of air-spaces are provided extending throughout the length ofthe wall. This is a material advantage, as it avoids much of theinjurious effects of expansion and contraction.

Where the block is used for horizontal sure faces-as, for instance,floors and ceilings-as indicated at the top and bottom of Fig. 7, theblocks may be supported by beams B, placed within the openings formed`by the grooves or channels, and thus the beams will be fully protectedfrom the action of the elements and hidden from view. It will be furtherobserved that thewall is a sealed wall, as the interlocking tongues forman exceedingly close joint. The blocks may be laid with any suitablecement. y

If desired, I may form a rabbet d completely around each side face ofthe block, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the grooves thus formed by therabbets of the adjoining blocks may be iilled with cement.

If desired, I may provide the ends of the blocks with interlockingtongues c and grooves c', as indicated in Fig. 4a.

In the forms illustrated in Figs. 4t and 5 I lighten the block for somepurposes by providing an elongated opening a5 in the rib. Also, ifdesired, the rib may be made dovetailed, as at a, Fig. 6, to engagecorresponding dovetailed portions h6 in the adjoining channel portion.

I claim as my invention l. A block for building and similar purposeshaving a groove or channel extending from one face through the majorportion of the body of the block and forming side walls coequal inextent, and a centrally-arranged shallow rib or tongue projecting fromthe opposite face of the block, substantially as described. I

2. A block for building and similar purposes having a groove or channelin one face and a correspondingly-loeated rib or tongue on the opposite:t'ace of less height than the IOO depth of the groove and a rabbetaround the I and a corresponding groove at theother end edges of 'theside face of the block, substanof the block, substantially as described.Io tially as described. In testimony whereof I affix my signature 3. Ablock for building and similar purin presence of two Witnesses.

poses having a groove or channel in one face VILLIAM E. SHAW; and acorrespondingly-located rib or tongue Vitnesses: 0n the opposite face ofless height than the LOUIS I-IASAGER,

depth of the groove and a tongue at one end JOHN M. ARMSTRONG;

